Something went wrong: Couldn’t share photo(s) with Mail

Probable cause: First, make sure your Internet connection is up and running. As long as your Internet connection isn’t at fault, then this message usually appears after you’ve tried to send too many photos to a friend. E-mail programs choke on large files, and today’s high-resolution cameras create photos too large to be sent more than two or three at a time.

Solutions: Send your photos no more than two at a time, creating a new e-mail for each one. Or, click the Send Using SkyDrive Instead link. That sends the photos to a safe storage spot on the Internet where the recipient can download them, bypassing the limitations of e-mail.

There is no email program associated to perform the requested action

Meaning: The particularly cryptic message means you’re trying to send e-mail from the desktop, but you haven’t installed an e-mail program.

Probable cause: Unlike the Start screen and its Mail app, the Windows 8 desktop doesn’t come with a built-in program to send or receive e-mail. (The desktop can’t use the Mail app.) If you click any program’s Send This or E-mail This option, this message appears until you choose and install an e-mail program.

Solutions: You can download and install an e-mail program or set up an e-mail program at one of many websites.

USB device not recognized

Meaning: This message appears when you’re trying to plug a new part into your computer’s USB port, but something went wrong.

Probable cause: The part isn’t compatible with Windows 8, or it simply hit a glitch.

Solutions: If you’ve plugged a cable or device into one of your computer’s connectors, unplug it. Wait 30 seconds and then plug it back into a different USB port. No luck? Then leave it plugged in, but restart your computer.

If it still doesn’t work, the answer is clear: You need to track down a driver, which is a special piece of software that lets your gadget talk to Windows.

Windows isn’t activated

Meaning: When Windows isn’t activated, it nags you with the message shown.

Probable cause: Microsoft’s copy-protection scheme requires every person to activate his or her Windows 8 copy. When activated, your copy of Windows 8 is linked to your particular computer so that you can’t install it onto another computer, including a tablet or laptop.

Solutions: Choose the link called Learn More About Why You’re Seeing this Issue. You may have been sold a counterfeit version of Windows. Look for the phone number where you can call Microsoft to discuss the issue. Note:If you never see this message, your copy of Windows has already been activated by your computer’s manufacturer. Don’t worry about it.